A person walks on a pedestrian bridge carrying an umbrella above a busy highway Disruptive rain has been forecast for KwaZulu-Natal until Wednesday. Picture: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued warnings for disruptive rainfall which is expected to last until Wednesday, January 8, with rainfall accumulations projected to be between 50 and 70 mm.
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma expressed concern over the rising number of accidents, particularly on major routes like the N3 and N2 highways.
"Since the 1st of January, around 10 people have died on our roads. With the rain, the roads are slippery. We are requesting motorists to be extra careful," said Duma.
The MEC emphasised the coordinated efforts of the Road Traffic Inspectorate and municipal teams in monitoring traffic flow to ensure motorists' safety.
In addition to road hazards, low-lying areas have been affected due to widespread flooding and structural damage.
Duma said that the Department of Human Settlements is actively addressing the situation, stating: "About eight Temporary Residential Units are being procured to assist families whose houses were totally destroyed in Nkandla. Four other families will receive building material."
The flooding has severely disrupted traffic and caused multiple accidents. Key routes, including the N3 between Cato Ridge and Ashburton, have been heavily impacted, with vehicles navigating treacherous conditions and poor visibility.
Other areas impacted include Virginia Circle in Durban North, the M4 Southern Freeway, and Umbilo near Edwin Swales which have also been waterlogged, prompting authorities to urge caution and alternative route planning.
SAWS has reiterated the dangers, noting that even shallow water can sweep vehicles away. Their advice includes using headlights, reducing speed, and steering clear of low-water bridges.
Electricity infrastructure has not been spared, with Eskom confirming outages in several regions, including Cato Ridge, Empangeni, Hluhluwe, Ulundi, Nkandla, Nquthu, Stanger, Vryheid, and Wartburg.
"Our technical teams are working to restore power outages; however, the process may take longer due to the high volume of outages and adverse weather conditions," Eskom stated.
Thulasizwe Buthelezi, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in KwaZulu-Natal, urged residents to exercise caution during this time.
He warned of the flooding of low-lying bridges and potential disruptions on major routes across the province.
He also highlighted the likelihood of damage to property and infrastructure, including mud-based houses.
Cogta said a Joint Operations Committee (JOC) has been convened by the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, involving stakeholders like SANRAL, SAPS, and municipal disaster management teams, to ensure readiness for potential emergencies.
It said residents in affected areas such as eThekwini, Jozini, KwaDukuza, and Umhlathuze are advised to avoid crossing flooded roads, move to higher ground if water levels rise, and avoid low-lying bridges.
Buthelezi emphasised the importance of safety precautions:
“Ensure vehicle headlights are on and drive at a reasonably low speed during showery conditions.”
The KZN Transport and Human Settlements department said the public can report any flooding incidents to 079 891 2626.